This chapter describes how the tribes are to be arranged in the Israelite camp, and in what order they will make/break camp. It also reminds us of the census numbers. For brevity I will exclude most of the verses, but feel free to read the whole chapter if you’re interested.
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: ‘The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.’ On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The tribe of Zebulun will be next. Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard. So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family. (v1-2,3a,5a,7a,17,34)
Now, maybe I’m reading something into this that isn’t there, but I had an interesting thought on why the camp is setup this way (specifically with Judah leading and being in the East).
As we all probably know, the sun rises in the East. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah. When Jesus was born, it was the dawn of redemption, and Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World (Jn 8:12). It seems fitting to me that Judah was the lead nation and the “sunrise nation”, since Jesus is bringing a new light and new dawn as He leads the people of this world.
“Joseph’s tribes” (Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin) were in the West. By Jewish tradition, new days start at sunset (not midnight). Joseph, who united the original twelve patriarchs, began a new day of peace and prosperity for the Hebrew people. His brothers were lacking reconciliation with God and each other, and Joseph was the change maker who led that transformation (he was led by God to do that, of course).
Judah’s camp is the first to see a new dawn, and Joseph’s camp is the first to see a new day. The Levites (God’s chosen servants) are at the heart of the camp with the Tabernacle, both when setup and when moving camp. This seems significant to me.
My takeaway is that in our lives today Jesus (the Lion of Judah [Rev 5:5]) needs to lead and bring light in all that we say and do. We need to be God’s servants in our innermost being (in our hearts). We also need to be change makers and usher in new days of peace for those who do not yet know peace (ie. reconciliation with God, like Joseph’s brothers lacked). This is my challenge to myself, and you as well if you’d like to join me.
Father God, Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we come before You in humility and praise. We acknowledge that You Jesus, lead the way for all to follow, bringing a light to this world that cannot be matched or extinguished. Please be the Lord and leader of our lives, as we seek to live out Your will and heart for our lives. Please shine Your light through us to help others’ eyes be opened and begin a new day of knowing You. Please be our everything, because without You we have nothing of value. We humbly ask this in the power name of Jesus, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training